Talk:Python (mythology)

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"In Greek mythology Python was the oracular serpent of Delphi." Too bad to lose this, replaced with "monstrous snake". --Wetman 04:31, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

"monstrous snake" is definitely less snappy, but that's the price you pay for accuracy. Mythology would be much more exciting if we could just make it all up. --Akhilleus (talk) 05:40, 7 May 2006 (UTC)

Pity we have lost the hot-link to Serpent which is an important one for cross referencing divinities who kill snakes in mythology. I propose it be restored - serpents and snakes are clearly identical, why quibble. John D. Croft 23:46, 19 May 2006 (UTC)

Restored. I have moved here the following, Pytho was the offspring of Gaia and the mud that was left over after the flood of Deucalion. I can't find a source for this assertion. --Wetman 01:21, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

Serpent, snake, what's the difference? (Piped) links are good, though.

Are we reading the same Homeric Hymn? The Homeric Hymn to Apollo actually doesn't say whose child Python was; the parthenogenetic child of Hera was Typhon, whom Hera gave to Typhon to nurse. Here's the relevant passage (lines 349-354):

But when the months and the days reached their destined goal,

and the seasons arrived as the year revolved,

she bore dreadful and baneful Typhaon, a scourge to mortals,

whose aspect resembled neither god's nor man's.

Forthwith cow-eyed mighty Hera took him, and, piling evil

upon evil, she commended him to the care of the she-dragon.

By the way, the Hymn to Apollo is now generally considered a unified work, so we don't need to separate it into Delian and Pythian hymns.

Finally, who ever says that Python gave oracles? Guarding an oracular shrine doesn't make you an oracular snake. --Akhilleus (talk) 05:50, 20 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Additions

• The name in Greek characters please.--Connection 22:02, 9 June 2006 (UTC)

• Does it have a relation to the The Witch of Endor, translated in some versions as "Pythoness woman" in the book of Samuel (1 Samuel 28:3-25)? Is it only a spurious expression as being (the woman) in the business of using oracles, or there is a deeper historical relationship?--Connection 22:02, 9 June 2006 (UTC)